Ron Jampel of Brick talks about the situation he and his wife are in, as well as many others, since FEMA released new flood maps. Their home is now in a zone V area.

Written by

Jean Mikle
and Todd B. Bates

Superstorm Sandy battered the Jersey Shore, but some residents believe it's the new flood maps that will drive middle-class families away from the coastline.

Brick resident Ron Jampel said many in his Shore Acres neighborhood will not be able to afford to rebuild. The reason? Higher flood elevations included in FEMA's new Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps adopted by the Christie administration last month as the state's standard for rebuilding after the storm.

"I'm focused on the seniors and the middle class," said Jampel, 56, who has lived in his Vanard Drive ranch home for almost 10 ...